Agni Purana — Veda-vidhana & Vamsha, Shloka 12
Chapter 275 — द्वादशसङ्ग्रामाः
The Twelve Battles
त्रैपुरश्चान्धकबधो नवमो वृत्रघातकः जितो हालाहलश्चाथ घोरः कोलाहलो रणः
traipuraścāndhakabadho navamo vṛtraghātakaḥ jito hālāhalaścātha ghoraḥ kolāhalo raṇaḥ
त्रैपुरश्चान्धकबधो नवमो वृत्रघातकः । जितो हालाहलश्चाथ घोरः कोलाहलो रणः ॥
Lord Agni (narrating the stotra portion to Sage Vasiṣṭha, as per the common Agni Purana dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Japa/archana in Śiva-upāsanā; using specific epithets for sankalpa, kavaca-style remembrance, and fear-removal through nāma-smaraṇa.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"List","entry_title":"Rudra-Śiva Nāmas: Tripurāntaka–Andhakaghna–Vṛtrahā–Hālāhalajit","lookup_keywords":["Tripurāntaka","Andhakavadha","Vṛtraghātaka","Hālāhala","Raṇa/Kolāhala"],"quick_summary":"A cluster of Śiva-epithets recalling mythic victories: Tripura’s destruction, Andhaka’s slaying, Vṛtra’s defeat, and the subduing of Hālāhala poison—invoked for protection and inner steadiness amid turmoil."}
Alamkara Type: Bahuvrīhi/epithetic nāma-samāsa; Anuprāsa (phonetic force) in clustered names
Weapon Type: Bow (Tripurāntaka archer motif)
Concept: Nāma-smaraṇa converts mythic conquest into inner conquest—poison (viṣa) as metaphor for saṃsāric afflictions, battle as the mind’s turbulence.
Application: Use these names in daily japa when facing agitation, fear, or ‘toxic’ circumstances; contemplate ‘Hālāhalajit’ as mastery over reactive impulses.
Khanda Section: Shiva-Sahasranama / Stotra (Names of Rudra-Śiva; Puranic hymnody within encyclopedic sections)
Primary Rasa: Vira
Secondary Rasa: Raudra
Type: Mythic realm/fortress
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Śiva in fierce aspect, as Tripurāntaka archer amid cosmic battle-noise; hints of blue throat for Hālāhala conquest; defeated demons (Andhaka/Vṛtra) symbolically shown.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala temple mural of Tripurāntaka Śiva, dark-hued fierce face, ornate crown, bow drawn, swirling clouds and flames, blue-throat detail, devas praising, rich reds/ochres, flat iconic composition.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting of Śiva as Nīlakaṇṭha-Tripurāntaka, gold foil halo, gem-like ornaments, bow and arrow, stylized Tripura forts in background, devas in miniature registers, heavy gilded borders.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore style instructional-devotional panel: labeled epithets around Śiva (Tripurāntaka, Andhakaghna, Vṛtrahā, Hālāhalajit), soft shading, delicate linework, calm yet powerful stance.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature of a battlefield tableau: Śiva as archer on chariot, dynamic dust and banners, demons routed, fine detailing of armor and landscape, restrained palette with gold accents."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairava","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: त्रैपुरश्च = त्रैपुरः + च; अन्धकबधो = अन्धकबधः; हालाहलश्चाथ = हालाहलः + च + अथ. Verse is a list of epithets/events; finite verb is implicit.
Related Themes: Śiva-sahasranāma section (Agni Purāṇa, stotra-khaṇḍa); Hālāhala episode references in cosmology narratives within Agni Purāṇa
FAQs
This verse functions as nāma-japa material: it supplies specific epithets of Śiva intended for recitation in stotra practice, a core devotional discipline used in pūjā, vrata, and daily remembrance.
By compressing multiple mythic-theological references (Tripura-dahana, Andhaka-vadha, Vṛtra-ghāta, Hālāhala) into a structured list of divine names, it catalogues narrative lore, theology, and liturgical usage in a concise, reference-like format.
Reciting these names is traditionally held to purify speech and mind, invoke Śiva’s protective power (especially against fear and conflict), and accrue puṇya through focused remembrance of the deity’s victorious and world-protecting acts.